The four Bay Islands are connected to the mainland by fast passenger ferries and barges, which also serve as inter-island transport. Macleay can be reached from Redland Bay in around 15-25 minutes. A vehicular bridge crossing is strongly opposed by residents and has been argued over for years.
Macleay Island is the 2nd largest of the inner bay islands and is the most populous of the Bay Islands Group with an estimated 5,000 full-time, part-time and ‘holiday home’ residents. The island is pretty well serviced, with power, telephone and town water and council services for rubbish collection. There are roads on the island and whether they are sealed or just gravel depends on residential requirements and growth. There is no sewerage connected to the island, waste disposals are via septic or environmental systems attached to residences or amenities. There are essential services like shops, schools, a post office, a police station and emergency services. Macleay also has its own Golf Club, Boat Club and Tavern. The Island Bowls Club has a bistro and garden with spectacular Bay views.
Sheltered by North Stradbroke Island, Macleay Island, only 5.9km long and 4km wide, rises 19 metres above sea level and also includes Perulpa Island, a tiny little island joined by a causeway. Macleay is one of the only Southern Moreton Bay Islands that have sandy beaches. Most of the islands in this sheltered part of Moreton Bay are small and have rocky promontories, coral sand and mangroves. Macleay is part of the Redland Shire which conserves one of the largest concentrations of mangroves in the greater Brisbane area. Its coastline and foreshore includes significant stands of grey, red, orange, yellow and river mangroves and the Island has rich volcanic soil and sandy loam which provide a fantastic environment for its unique native flora and thriving wildlife population. There are approximately 200 resident species of birds and in the waters around the island, dolphins, dugongs and turtles can be found. The dugongs are sometimes studied by environmentalists in Cow Bay where the sea grass beds are found.
The island is central to one of the great, protected aquatic and boating playgrounds on Australia's east coast. The waterway extends from the Broadwater on the Gold Coast to Moreton Bay and Brisbane. The Moreton Bay waterway was the original thoroughfare for sailing vessels and steamboats travelling from north to south of the Bay.
Macleay has nature reserves, parks and barbeques, sheltered white sandy swimming beaches, deep water anchorages and public boat ramps. It’s a favoured protected anchorage for sailing craft and motor boats of all sizes and there are many fishing boating spots. It’s famous for fishing and you can expect to find seafood like succulent mud crabs and delicious Moreton Bay Bugs.
Macleay has nature reserves, parks and barbeques, sheltered white sandy swimming beaches, deep water anchorages and public boat ramps. It’s a favoured protected anchorage for sailing craft and motor boats of all sizes and there are many fishing boating spots. It’s famous for fishing and you can expect to find seafood like succulent mud crabs and delicious Moreton Bay Bugs.
The Island has a diverse and interesting history, both Aboriginal and European. Macleay was regarded as an Aboriginal meeting place with spiritual importance and its Aboriginal name is “Jencoomercha”. It also took a name from Tim O’Shea, a convict who lived alone on the island for 14 years and was later renamed in honour of Alexander Macleay, who was the NSW Colonial Secretary from 1825 to 1837.
The Bay Islands played a key role in the white settlement of the Southern Moreton Bay region. From 1842, when Brisbane and the surrounding areas were opened up to free settlement, primary industries such as timber cutting, fishing and oyster farming flourished here and were important in the economic development of South East Queensland. Macleay, first settled by Europeans in the late1860’s became a prolific farming area, due to its rich volcanic soil and clean fresh water. It produced quality fruit and vegetables; as well as oyster leases, fishing and commercial mud crabbing, the establishment of a timber industry and at one stage sugar cane. Until the early 1970s, fruit and vegetable production and fishing supported the small island communities.
All of the Bay Islands’ reputations suffered in the 1970s. There was no local authority controlling development on the islands and land developers promoted and sold some land lots that were ‘swamp’ i.e. drainage affected or subject to inundation by high tides. The Redland Shire Council has now acquired the low lying land and set it aside under conservation purposes. Once the current zoned residential lots are all purchased, there will be no more sub-division allowed and the Council will be very strict regarding this ruling.
The Bay Islands played a key role in the white settlement of the Southern Moreton Bay region. From 1842, when Brisbane and the surrounding areas were opened up to free settlement, primary industries such as timber cutting, fishing and oyster farming flourished here and were important in the economic development of South East Queensland. Macleay, first settled by Europeans in the late1860’s became a prolific farming area, due to its rich volcanic soil and clean fresh water. It produced quality fruit and vegetables; as well as oyster leases, fishing and commercial mud crabbing, the establishment of a timber industry and at one stage sugar cane. Until the early 1970s, fruit and vegetable production and fishing supported the small island communities.
All of the Bay Islands’ reputations suffered in the 1970s. There was no local authority controlling development on the islands and land developers promoted and sold some land lots that were ‘swamp’ i.e. drainage affected or subject to inundation by high tides. The Redland Shire Council has now acquired the low lying land and set it aside under conservation purposes. Once the current zoned residential lots are all purchased, there will be no more sub-division allowed and the Council will be very strict regarding this ruling.
This is a great spot for a day trip or a short break. We stayed overnight at a B&B “The Boathouse” which was very pleasant.
No comments:
Post a Comment